Maples and Calder was established in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) in September 2004. Across the firm worldwide, our clients have access to over 45 BVI qualified lawyers.

Our clients come to us for a wide range of BVI legal services, including banking, general corporate and commercial, investment funds, commercial and private trusts, commercial dispute resolution and insolvency. Our clients include leading international law firms, major financial institutions and high net worth individuals.

The BVI are located in the Caribbean, just sixty miles east of San Juan in Puerto Rico and a short flight from Miami, Florida. Tortola, the largest Island in BVI, has a population of over 26,000, about half of whom are ex-pats working pre-dominantly in the finance, legal and tourist sectors. Employees working in BVI pay only 8% income tax.

The BVI boasts some of the finest sailing, diving and other water-sports to be found anywhere in the world, with numerous unspoilt islands to explore. The climate is warm all year round, but with a cooling sea breeze for most of the year making it very comfortable to work and live in.  Although unspoilt, the BVI have the usual conveniences such as supermarkets, restaurants, bars and sports clubs that you would expect of a thriving financial centre.

Lawyers can practice in the BVI once they have been admitted as a solicitor in the Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court (British Virgin Islands). Lawyers who are qualified in England and/or Wales may apply.  Lawyers qualified in other Commonwealth jurisdictions may also be admitted, provided they have passed the England and Wales qualified lawyers' transfer test (QLTT).

A work permit must be sought from local immigration for all ex-pats looking to practice in the BVI and this process takes approximately eight weeks from when the permit is submitted. A satisfactory medical and certificate of no convictions are also required to be filed with the application for a permit.